House of Innoventions at Epcot’s Innoventions East is now closed, presumably due to the recent announcement that Green Builder Media will be transitioning it into what will be known as the ‘VISION House.’ No specific date has been provided for the re-opening other than an expected time frame of May, 2012.

The official Walt Disney World website is now reporting a temporary closure for Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom beginning January 23, 2012 and re-opening on February 10.

In addition, we have learned of additional counter service and dining location closures which include the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor in the Magic Kingdom (closed January 9 through February 17) and an extension of Tutto Italia Ristorante in the Italy Pavilion at Epcot. The restaurant is now scheduled to close a day earlier and re-open a month later.

The Liberty Belle Riverboat refurbishment at Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom park has now been reduced to May 4 & May 5, 2011.

Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, ‘Voyage of the Little Mermaid’ will close temporarily on August 15 and is rescheduled to re-open on September 4, 2011.

Finally, we have the dates for the annual refurbishment closures for the water parks. Up first is Blizzard Beach which will close on October 30 and re-open on December 4. Typhoon Lagoon will close on December 4 and re-open on March 18, 2012, barring any changes.

August 16, 2011 is a day that will live in infamy for that is the day the Walt Disney World currently has slated for the re-opening of the ‘Enchanted Tiki Room,’ following a fire that caused some significant damage to some of the animatronics. Closed since January, sources have confirmed to us that the rumored return to the original Tropical Serenade will indeed happen and Iago and Zazu will be forced to find another line of work. Perhaps as a tongue-in-cheek nod to the change, Disney Pin Trading released the retro pin displayed here last month, in honor of Walt Disney World’s 40th anniversary.

We have received a tip on upcoming closures for Star Tours and Toy Story Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. These are not from official Disney sources but we believe they are credible enough to pass along to you. Should we find out alternate information in the future, we will update and post in the Refurbs category not to mention on ReSearch! Disclaimer aside, on with the mega-news.

Our source informs us that Star Tours will close on September 8. This is earlier than announced by former Disney Parks and Resort Chairman Jay Rasulo at last year’s D23 Expo, but not unexpected. It’s also scheduled to take place after Celebration V, which takes place in Orlando this year, ends in mid-August.